Harbor Freight Tools

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Harbor Freight Tools

1.6

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Harbor Freight Tools Reviews Summary

Harbor Freight has garnered a mixed reputation among customers, with some praising the affordability and variety of tools available. However, a significant number of reviews highlight persistent issues with product quality, including defective items and poor customer service experiences. Common complaints revolve around strict return policies, including restocking fees and unhelpful staff interactions, which have left many customers feeling frustrated and undervalued. Overall, while the company attracts budget-conscious shoppers, its customer service approach and product reliability appear to be major areas needing improvement to enhance overall satisfaction.

This summary is generated by AI, based on text from customer reviews

service
152
value
142
shipping
87
returns
112
quality
130

We monitor reviews for authenticity

California
22 reviews
43 helpful votes
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Over all price of tools
October 13, 2021

There getting to high on prices and don't give coupons like they used to so I stop buy there over price China junk, I can buy better quality in other tools or off the internet

Date of experience: October 12, 2021
New Mexico
1 review
0 helpful votes
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Bad Roto Rooter
October 11, 2021

Bought a Pcific Hydrostar 50' Roto Rooter there and found the canle already kinked and unreadable when we tried to use it. Aggravated even more by Harbor Freight's no return policy.

Date of experience: October 11, 2021
Texas
1 review
4 helpful votes
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On September 12 of this year 2021 at 6 pm in the Midland TX store I was mistreated by the store staff because they demanded a 20% restock fee, 50 dollars for returning an item in perfect condition and purchased 1 hour and 30 minutes before

Date of experience: October 2, 2021
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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Terrible Business
September 28, 2021

Called for my refund three times already... think I'll start a lawsuit... I work hard for my money and each time I call for my refund... its one excuse after the other... never received product yet but they were so quick to take my money... but take forever to give me my refund

Date of experience: September 28, 2021
Texas
1 review
4 helpful votes
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Cordless drill
September 24, 2021

Bought two and they both died just after about 1 year. They sell junk so stay away. Also purchased the membership plan but they never have the items on the shelfs so tuff luck for the members. And with no Rain checks they always gethe better out of you. Talked to store managers and corporate with no concern on their parts at all. Stay away from this junk sore and their lies

Date of experience: September 24, 2021
Montana
1 review
0 helpful votes
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PISSED OFF GOT NO HELP
September 12, 2021

WENT IN STORE MOVING DOLLY TOOL BOX WANTED 3 DOLLY'S LOOK STOREAGE ROOM STACK OF THEM NOT FOR SALE THEBY USE MOVE STOCK MOVING IN 2 WEEKS I WELL NOTGO YOUR STORE AGAIN I AM DONE

Date of experience: September 12, 2021
New York
1 review
4 helpful votes
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Bring back the 20% coupon... i signed up for an INSIDE TRACK CLUB turned out to be a waste of money they no longer warentee items unless you have a reciept there new high end tools you can buy on sale at lowes or home depot same price but the real name brand. I still buy sand paper and other items where quality vs price is ok... i miss the 20% off coupon

Date of experience: September 7, 2021
New Mexico
1 review
2 helpful votes
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Unopened Returns Not Allowed or refunded.
September 4, 2021

Harbor Freight would not refund an unopened epoxy quick Setting. This is unheard. Every other store would and has refunded products not opened. What's up! That is the last time I will buy anything from Harbor Freight; Harbor Freight goooooooood Byeeeeeeee.

Date of experience: September 4, 2021
South Carolina
1 review
5 helpful votes
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Cheap & China made--
August 29, 2021

Do NOT buy from HF-- air compressor broke within 60 days on a 90 day warranty-
Returned to the local store w/in 60 days & they said I could replace it or refund, but there would be a 25% restocking fee. NEVER was told this when purchasing- just said I had a 90 day warranty.
Purchase $150.00 restocking fee $35.00.
That is BS-- Do NOT shop Harbor Freight.

Date of experience: August 29, 2021
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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I had a bad experience with Harbor Freight Tools, I bought a set of drill bits on sale but did not need it immediately and when I used it drill bits could not drill a hole on a 3/8 bolt, I took it back but it was 2 weeks passed the 90 days, cashier said she could not do any thing, I did not want money back just tool that would solve my problem, I gave it back tool and left store, my suggestion is DO NOT BUY ANYTHING JUST BECAUSE ITS ON SALE BUT DO NOT NEED IT NOW, AFTER 90 DAYS YOU FIND OUT IT IS DEFECTIVE AND YOU ARE STOCK WITH IT. I showed cashier proof of purchase but it was 2 weeks passed the 90 days, I asked to talk to store manager, she said that she could not do nothing for me.

Date of experience: August 28, 2021
Pennsylvania
10 reviews
8 helpful votes
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Be Aware
August 21, 2021

I've made many purchases at HF and the majority I've had no problems. That said there are two issues I've had with them I feel worth mentioning. The first was on online purchase where an obviously used/returned gas powered tool was shipped to me. I could tell right away the box had been previously opened. The packing material inside was broken up and the tool itself had mud splashed on it and part of it was rusty. It was obviously used by someone than returned to HF where they put it back into stock without even opening and inspecting it. Needless to say I returned it. The second issue is I recently discovered HF removed a negative review I had given on an item. I leave both positive and negative reviews and while they post the positive ones they remove the negative which calls into question their honesty not to mention business ethics. I emailed them about this and they have yet to post the review as any honest and ethical business would.

Date of experience: August 21, 2021
Wisconsin
1 review
1 helpful vote
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Harbor Freight is the most despicable tool store in existence. I will no longer shop there, under any circumstances. Both Home Depot or Lowes will garner my patronage henceforth. Almost everything sold in HF is made in China. Both their tools and equipment won't last much longer than 90 days, which is their usual warranty. To make matters worse they don't carry parts for the tools and equipment they sell. I purchased a 150 lbs. psi Central Pneumatic compressor a little over a year ago and the switch went out. They still sell the compressor but they don't carry the parts for it's repair, including the switch. I replaced the switch from a part sold on Amazon and got it working again but the valves inside the compressor motor then went out. It's going to the dump my next trip. Any more compressors will come from Home Depot or Lowes. In addition, they use TeleCheck, which continually rejects checks I've written to the Harbor Freight in Bend, OR. Now since we've moved from San Bernardino, CA to Oregon they say, at 70 years old, we don't have enough check writing experience. We have over 50 years of writing checks and a credit rating of 810. TeleCheck is a joke and Harbor Freight, which uses them, is a joke. Spend your money at a more reputable business rather than wasting good money at one of these stores.

Date of experience: August 4, 2021
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
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OK guys and gals... This is the LAST EVER Harbor Tool machine I every buy.
I received this as a present.
I was in the hospital and by the time I got out, the return policy was out.
When I went to assemble it, it was missing parts.
I promptly called the Harbor Freight help line *******797 and was politely told...
" Sorry, we have no parts for these grinders " when they break or parts go missing, yo need to by another unit "
At $129.00, they are selling paper weights.
Save you money and time the same nit is available at the big box stores... and they back the product.

Date of experience: May 14, 2021
North Carolina
1 review
8 helpful votes
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Online order from over 2 months ago, still showing that the order is still at the Dillon Warehouse, called for a refund about 10 times and got blew off, lied to, excuse after excuse, $40 purchase that has costed them a 20+ year customer to never buy from this company again, their prices are as much as Lowes/ Home Depot so why not buy from a company that will take care of you. I'll never buy another thing from this company and I'll spread this news to everyone I come in contact

Date of experience: May 7, 2021
Kansas
1 review
4 helpful votes
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Rude people and SELLING stuff they cant deliver... been waiting on a tool box for 4 months thats already PAID for... del date just keeps changing

Date of experience: March 25, 2021
Texas
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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Every time I order from them there is nothing but problems shipping mishaps orders being backordered charging my card I will never order from them again better off paying a little more and getting what you want

Date of experience: March 22, 2021
Kansas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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Never had an issue with the employees of Harbor Freight, before, however I have never been in the store 15 minutes before they closed, either. We were harassed and stalked by employee #1 while shopping, before employee #2 ( and employee #3) joined in to get my kids and I, out of the store 5 minutes after closing. Then when I checked out, I apologized for keeping them after closing, with no response. So, I apologized a second time and received a very short, slight "okay" from employee #2 and the lady at the register. I wanted to walk out and take my business elsewhere! I am still furious after 3 days of leaving the store and very tempted to return all of my $600+ in merchandise due to the lack of respect, integrity, and poor customer service on a weekday. Not only was the staff very rude to me, but my kids which did not deserve any of that BS. WILL NOT RETURN, except to RETURN ALL OF MY MERCHANDISE! Home Depot and Menards has better customer service and tact!

Date of experience: March 19, 2021
Michigan
1 review
4 helpful votes
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MASK NAZI'S
March 8, 2021

I LOVE THIS STORE AND BUY ALL MY TOOLS FROM THERE BUT SINCE THE PLANDEMIC WITH A 99.7% SURVIVAL RATE... THE CHESTERFIELD MI STORE MANAGER MASK NAZI IS A COMPLETELY BRAINWASHED SHEEPEOPLE OR THE CORP IS... SO NOW i PAY 2 TO 3 TIME MORE FOR NAME BRAND TOOLS, THAT HAVE THE SAME QUALITY AND DO THE SAME THING FROM THE BIG BOX STORES IE. LOWES AND HOME DEPOT WHERE I DONT HAVE TO WEAR A MASK. MASK DONT WORK ANYWAY PEOPLE... FOLLOW THE SCIENCE...

Date of experience: March 7, 2021
Pennsylvania
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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Harbor Freight
February 7, 2021

Refuses to make good on a defective product. Told me it's out of warranty and offers no assistance of any kind despite my being a customer for well over 20 years.

Date of experience: February 6, 2021
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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I bought an automotive scan too there, I paid about $150.00 for it. Went home with it plugged it in to my Chevrolet Suburban, and it does NOTHING. Went right back with it, they told me they won't return it its used, Told them it doesn't work, I wanted them to go to the parking lot and plug it in and see. They said sorry we can't return it, finally after one half hour argument, they said I could return it, BUT there was a $25.00 fee. It's pretty nice when you have to pay them to test their stuff, I called the store manager, they said sorry we cant return it. I took the loss and never returned again. Told every one about it, I have never been back since. I used to shop there a lot. Me and 2 neighbors haven't been in there since.

Date of experience: January 30, 2021